Decorating
Decorating 101: Know Your Tile Pattern
The way you lay your tiles can instantly transform your look. Get to know the options and all-important terminology here
Don’t know your step-up tile pattern from your stacked, your running bond from your herringbone? Our handy little illustrated guide will help you get to grips with your tiling options, understand the terminology and help you choose the best pattern for your scheme.
Step-up
Also known as the pinwheel pattern, and occasionally hopscotch, the step-up layout needs more than a little concentration to get right. A single small tile is placed at each corner of a larger tile to create pattern with an implied upward motion. It’s known as the step-up because each small tile forces one of the larger tiles in the pattern to move upwards to align properly, which creates a gentle stepped design.
Also known as the pinwheel pattern, and occasionally hopscotch, the step-up layout needs more than a little concentration to get right. A single small tile is placed at each corner of a larger tile to create pattern with an implied upward motion. It’s known as the step-up because each small tile forces one of the larger tiles in the pattern to move upwards to align properly, which creates a gentle stepped design.
Diamond
A spin on the classic stacked layout, the diamond pattern (sometimes known as diagonal) turns square tiles 45 degrees to make them into – you guessed it – diamonds. Can also be confused with the ‘on-point’ tile pattern which is very similar, but with squarer tiles. Once placed, they form clean diagonal lines up from the base of the wall. Still simple to execute, this pattern brings a little extra interest to bathroom and kitchen walls.
A spin on the classic stacked layout, the diamond pattern (sometimes known as diagonal) turns square tiles 45 degrees to make them into – you guessed it – diamonds. Can also be confused with the ‘on-point’ tile pattern which is very similar, but with squarer tiles. Once placed, they form clean diagonal lines up from the base of the wall. Still simple to execute, this pattern brings a little extra interest to bathroom and kitchen walls.
Stacked
Probably the simplest and most popular tile layout, stacked tiles do exactly what it says on the tin: stack up in a neat, gridded pattern. This unfussy approach makes them a go-to style for kitchen and bathroom walls, and for small splashback areas that need a clean edge.
Straight-run tile styles that really stack up
Probably the simplest and most popular tile layout, stacked tiles do exactly what it says on the tin: stack up in a neat, gridded pattern. This unfussy approach makes them a go-to style for kitchen and bathroom walls, and for small splashback areas that need a clean edge.
Straight-run tile styles that really stack up
Basket weave
If you want to be bold with your tiling, consider a basket weave pattern; it’s intricate and takes time to lay, but the mesmerising results are worth it.
The idea is simple enough – it uses two different tiles sizes to mimic woven basket textures. Rectangular tiles are set in a pattern of vertical-horizontal-vertical-horizontal, etc, each of which is centred to the tiles adjacent to it. Smaller (usually darker toned) square tiles fill the gaps between this grid, to create the idea of the shadowy negative space between the ‘woven’ tiles. You’ll probably want a professional to create this one for you.
If you want to be bold with your tiling, consider a basket weave pattern; it’s intricate and takes time to lay, but the mesmerising results are worth it.
The idea is simple enough – it uses two different tiles sizes to mimic woven basket textures. Rectangular tiles are set in a pattern of vertical-horizontal-vertical-horizontal, etc, each of which is centred to the tiles adjacent to it. Smaller (usually darker toned) square tiles fill the gaps between this grid, to create the idea of the shadowy negative space between the ‘woven’ tiles. You’ll probably want a professional to create this one for you.
Herringbone
Typically found on the floor – think gleaming wooden parquetry – the herringbone pattern is appearing on more tiled walls to make a smart, modern statement. More complex than your running bond, rectangular tiles are set a 45 degree angle to form wide Vs like a herring’s rib cage (that’s where the name comes from). Used in the right way, herringbone tiling – of smaller mosaic or standard size subway-style tiles – can create a sense of more space in small rooms.
Which way should you lay your tiles?
Typically found on the floor – think gleaming wooden parquetry – the herringbone pattern is appearing on more tiled walls to make a smart, modern statement. More complex than your running bond, rectangular tiles are set a 45 degree angle to form wide Vs like a herring’s rib cage (that’s where the name comes from). Used in the right way, herringbone tiling – of smaller mosaic or standard size subway-style tiles – can create a sense of more space in small rooms.
Which way should you lay your tiles?
Running bond
Running bond tiling makes use of those popular subway tiles in a way that creates a more fluid and less angular finish than a simple stacked pattern – mostly due to the way that each tile is placed in a brickwork pattern, rather than in a traditional squared-off grid. Pretty simple to fix in place (on walls or floors), the end of each tile lines up with the centre line of the tiles above and below it. You can complete this pattern with square tiles, but the finished effect will be more condensed.
Running bond tiling makes use of those popular subway tiles in a way that creates a more fluid and less angular finish than a simple stacked pattern – mostly due to the way that each tile is placed in a brickwork pattern, rather than in a traditional squared-off grid. Pretty simple to fix in place (on walls or floors), the end of each tile lines up with the centre line of the tiles above and below it. You can complete this pattern with square tiles, but the finished effect will be more condensed.
Vertical
Vertical tiles are a great option in a walk-in shower or bathroom space, and even in a living room as you can see here. You can lay vertical tile in stacked brick stile or as classic running bond turned on its side. In small spaces, it also has the ability to create the illusion of a little extra height and streamlined elegance.
Vertical tiles are a great option in a walk-in shower or bathroom space, and even in a living room as you can see here. You can lay vertical tile in stacked brick stile or as classic running bond turned on its side. In small spaces, it also has the ability to create the illusion of a little extra height and streamlined elegance.
More Key Terminology
Slab
If tiles, patterns and grout seem too much like hard work, or if you just prefer a contemporary streamlined finish, a flat slab is your best bet. From coloured glass to luxurious natural stones – think marble, granite, slate – a slab can be cut to size to form anything from a smooth splashback to a full, solid, gleaming wall covering.
See more slab-style splashbacks
Slab
If tiles, patterns and grout seem too much like hard work, or if you just prefer a contemporary streamlined finish, a flat slab is your best bet. From coloured glass to luxurious natural stones – think marble, granite, slate – a slab can be cut to size to form anything from a smooth splashback to a full, solid, gleaming wall covering.
See more slab-style splashbacks
Mosaic
Those Greeks and Romans knew a thing or two about tiling; the longevity of the mosaic tile’s popularity is solid proof of that. While we may not use them in such complex ways any longer, mosaics remain popular as bathroom flooring and wall tiles too, particularly as their small size means they imply spaciousness in areas that may actually be tiny.
Because you can buy these in sheets, sometimes made up into miniature versions of herringbone, step-up or other patterns, mosaics are easy to apply to walls and floors alike. Another reason for their enduring appeal perhaps?
Those Greeks and Romans knew a thing or two about tiling; the longevity of the mosaic tile’s popularity is solid proof of that. While we may not use them in such complex ways any longer, mosaics remain popular as bathroom flooring and wall tiles too, particularly as their small size means they imply spaciousness in areas that may actually be tiny.
Because you can buy these in sheets, sometimes made up into miniature versions of herringbone, step-up or other patterns, mosaics are easy to apply to walls and floors alike. Another reason for their enduring appeal perhaps?
Border tiles
Mix and match your tiles for a more personal – or sometimes practical – finish. Border tiles can be used to break up areas of pattern, or alternatively add a single line of patterned tiles to a plain surface. Whether it sits at benchtop height in a kitchen or bathroom to act as a splashback, around the edge of a tiled floor or in the middle of a wall to visually divide top from bottom, a border is a versatile device that can make a real difference to the finished feel of a room.
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What are your favourite tiles patterns? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
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Mix and match your tiles for a more personal – or sometimes practical – finish. Border tiles can be used to break up areas of pattern, or alternatively add a single line of patterned tiles to a plain surface. Whether it sits at benchtop height in a kitchen or bathroom to act as a splashback, around the edge of a tiled floor or in the middle of a wall to visually divide top from bottom, a border is a versatile device that can make a real difference to the finished feel of a room.
TELL US
What are your favourite tiles patterns? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
Although the spiral pattern is usually found on floors, it looks great on walls too. The squared pattern, made from a repeat of four rectangular tiles with one square tile at the centre, looks great in a single colour but is even more striking in classic blend of black and white. Pretty versatile as a design, it can be used at various scales and works well as a border design too.